Puck and bat for an air cushion table game

ABSTRACT

A bat and a puck combination for rapid play on an air bed game table. The puck is a high-density plastic, low profile right circular cylinder light enough to float on the air bed. The bat is also made from high-density plastic and is in the form of a low profile right circular cylinder having a bowl shaped recess in its top surface and a vertical handle attached to the cylinder at the center bottom of the recess. The bottom surface of the bat has a felt cover to prevent scratching the playing surface of the game table. The bat is substantially heavier than the puck and its cylindrical body is at least twice the height of, and of larger diameter than, the puck cylinder. When a bat and puck combination is so constructed it is less likely the player will knock the puck off the air bed table with the bat and a player&#39;&#39;s finger are protected from coming in contact with another bat, the puck or the table&#39;&#39;s edges.

United States Patent 1 1 Crossman et al.

[ AND BAT FOR AN AIR CUSHION TABLE GAME [75] inventors: Phillip E.Crossman, Ada; Robert C.

Kenrick, Grand Haven; Robert W. Le Mieux, Spring Lake, all of Mich.

[73] Assignee: Brunswick Corporation, Skokie, ill. [22] Filed: Sept. 17,1973 [21] Appl. No.: 397,697

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 179,659, Sept.13, 1971, Pat.

[ Dec. 23, 1975 Norway 273/85 R United Kingdom 273/67 B [57] ABSTRACT Abat and a puck combination for rapid play on an air bed game table. Thepuck is a high-density plastic, low profile right circular cylinderlight enough to float on the air bed. The bat is also made fromhigh-density plastic and is in the form of a low profile right circularcylinder having a bowl shaped recess in its top surface and a verticalhandle attached to the cylinder at the center bottom of the recess. Thebottom surface of the bat has a felt cover to prevent scratching theplaying surface of the game table. The bat is substantially heavier thanthe puck and its cylindrical body is at least twice the height of, andof larger diameter than, the puck cylinder. When a bat and puckcombination is so constructed it is less likely the player will knockthe puck off the air bed table with the bat and a players finger areprotected from coming in contact with another bat, the puck or thetable's edges.

8 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 1 of43,927,885

U.S. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 2 of4 3,927,885

STA NLESS STEEL BUMPER FIG. 4

FIG. I0

US. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 3 of4 3,927,885

FIG. l3

U.S. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 4 of4 3,927,885

PUCK AND BAT FOR AN AIR CUSHION TABLE GAME This is a division ofapplication Ser. No. 179,659, filed Sept. 13, l97l, now US. Pat. No.3,773,325.

BACKGROUND The invention is in the field of games and more specificallygames played upon a table-like surface. In early 1968 the inventorsconceived the idea of creating a new kind of game to be played upon anear frictionless surface such as that provided by an air cushion tableof the type described herein. In December of 1968 US. Pat. No. 3,415,478issued teaching an air bed suitable for the game, and it appearedcompatible with certain honeycomb structures which were then beingemployed by the inventors assignee company in the production of billiardtables. However, after some experimentation the modification of existinghoneycomb structure was found to be impractical and further study andexperimentation lead to the structure described below.

While the concept of using air to move game pieces is illustrated in theprior art, such as US. Pat. Nos. 3,066,937 to Pslugmann and 3,367,658 toBayha, the concept of using a basic air cushion table with nondirectional jets as a surface upon which to play a game such as thatherein described is novel.

In the course of developing the game, various configurations of thetable bumper rails, puck and bar were evaluated prior to settling uponthose of the invention. For example, rubber and wood bumper rails weretested, as were triangular-shaped packs and square or oblong bats. Itwas found that resilient rails imparted excessive spin to the puck, andthat triangular pucks were too difficult to control. The circular batwas selected because it added a degree of difficulty, compared to arectangular bat, in the control of a discshaped puck. Overall, theobjective was to achieve a combination of elements which produced apleasing experience, yet presented a challenge which required increasingskill.

One problem that developed during the development of the game was thatof the puch leaving the table in high speed free flight. A relatedproblem was the tendency in early bat configurations for the strikingedge to tuck under upon impact with the puck. This tucking andirregularities in the bat and rails were found to give the puck apositive angle of attack which caused it to take off from the air bedand leave the table. These problems were solved primarily by giving thebats, rails and pucks broad vertical edges, by lowering the center ofgravity of the bat and by establishing size and mass relationshipsbetween the bat and puck of 4:3 and l(): l respectively.

Careful consideration was also given to the size relationship betweenthe diameters of the puck and bat and the width of the goals. It wasdetermined that the width of the goals should be approximately 3 /3times the bat diameter in order to effectively prevent static blockingof the goal and place upon the player a significant goal tendingresponsibility. Conjunctively, it was deemed imperative that the goalsbe constructed so as to avoid any argument on whether or not aparticipant had scored. This problem was solved by taking the puckcompletely out of play when a goal is made and by automatically scoringthe goal to the maker.

In addition to the above. in the course ofthe development of theinvention it was determined that a table proportion of two to one with aminimum length of approximately eight feet was most desirable, and thata puck having a minimum diameter of three inches was required to obtainacceptable flotation where the table employed a one inch grid of airjets.

Lastly, it was recognized that numerous variations of the game and itsequipment were possible; for example, the addition of one more puckdeflecting obstacle at mid-table to make scoring more difficult.

It is an object of the invention to provide apparatus for the playing ofa game involving high speed omnidirectional movement of a game pieceupon a horizontal lubricated surface, and which requires quickness anddexterity on the part of the player.

It is another objective of the invention to provide a new game table,game piece and bat and a method of their use which together create agame heretofore unknown.

It is a further objective of the invention to provide a game tablehaving an air cushion table bed bounded by high density non-deformingbumper rails, and including goals at each end of the table into which agame piece will pass when a goal is made.

It is a still further objective of the invention to provide adisc-shaped game piece suitable for floating movement upon the aforesaidair cushion bed, and a bat for propelling the game piece upon the table.

It is still another objective of the invention to provide means forautomatically detecting and recording goals scored during the playing ofthe game.

It is yet another objective of the invention to provide a coin operatedmechanism in conjunction with the game table which will retain the gamepiece within a goal upon the completion of a game until the coinoperated device is again actuated.

SUMMARY Basically the invention comprises an air cushion table includinga playing surface laced with a grid of tiny air holes, and an air supplysystem beneath the playing surface for ejecting air under pressurethrough said holes. The playing surface is bounded by a sturdynondeforming rebounding rail. The game is played with a game piece orpuck, of such size and weight that it will float upon the air cushiontable surface, and a bat con figured to slide upon the game tablesurface and suit able for engaging the puck and directing it to a goal.The goal takes the puck out of play and electrical goal tending meansdetect and display the scoring of a goal. A coin operated play controlmechanism may be employed to retain the puck in an inaccessable positionwithin the goal until the operator has paid.

Other objectives, advantages and various further features of novelty andinvention will be pointed out or will occur to those skilled in the artfrom a reading of the following specification in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gametable of the invention illustrating how the game of the invention may beplayed.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross section of an air cushion bed of theinvention taken parallel to the long axis thereof.

HO. 3 is a cutaway plan view of the air bed of FIG. 7

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a side rail of the invention asattached to an air cushion bed of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a bat of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross section taken along line 66 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a puck of the inven tion.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the puck of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of an alternate constructionfor an air bed of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a partial vertical cross section of an air bed of theinvention utilizing the alternate construction of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an alternate construction for a bat of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a cutaway end view of a goal of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a cutaway side view of the goal of FIG. 12.

FIG. I4 is a perspective view of a score panel of the invention.

FIG. I5 is a schematic electrical wiring diagram for a coin operatedtable of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIGv I illustrates a mode of playof the invention. A puck 1 slides virtually friction free across theplaying surface 2 of the air cushion table. Contestants 3 standing atopposite ends of the table slide their bats 4 across the playing surfaceand attempt to knock the puck I into the opponents goal 5. Upon entry ofthe puck 1 into the opponent's goal 5 a light within one of a bank 6 ofvertically extending score boxes 7 alongside of the table isautomatically illuminated registering the score.

Each player attempts to score by sliding his bat into the puck so as toknock it either directly into the opponents goal or bank it off of oneof the stainless steel bumper strips 10 into the opponents goal. Thepuck moves very fast when solidly hit and unless intercepted 0H centerby the opposers bat will quickly return to the striking player's end ofthe table. This high speed rebound action by the puck tends to force thecontestants alternately into offensive and defensive roles for briefperiods of time depending upon who has gained the control of the puck.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the construction of the air cushion bed II ofthe game table 12. The top 13 or playing surface of the bed is aone-sixteenth inch sheet of a smooth durable material such as Melamine.Air holes 14 having a diameter of 0.032 inches are drilled in a l inchgrid pattern covering the playing surface 13 of the table I2. Themelamine playing surface rests upon and is securely affixed to a 1 inchthick core 15 of pressed wood, into and through which air channels 16and ducts 17 have been cut. Each channel 16 extends over the length ofthe playing surface 13 of the table and has communicating therewith onerow of holes 14, so that each row of holes is supplied by a singlechannel 16. Air is fed into the channels 16 through slot-like ducts 17which vent the channels 16 through the lower surface 18 of the core 15.

A one-eighth inch sheet of phenolic 20 is mounted to the bottom of thecore I5 to strengthen the entire air bed structure. Apcrtures 21matching the ducts I7 in the core 15 are cut in the phenolic 20. Aplenum chamber 22 is created by mounting a bottom panel 23 of e-"l tinch plywood or the like one inch below the lower surface 24 olthephenolic panel 20. The plenum chamher 22 is bounded at each side 25 byone inch thick spacing stringers 26 which extend the length of the table12 and are secured between the bottom plywood panel 23 and the phenolicpanel 20 above. The plenum chamber is restricted in length by 1 inchthick cross braces 27 which extend across the table between the sidestringers 26, and are also securely attached between the bottom panel 23and the phenolic panel 20 above.

The plenum chamber 22 is supplied with air by a fan 30 mounted to thebottom panel 23 so as to exhaust upwardly through an aperture 31 thereinand into the plenum chamber 22. A housing 32 may be placed over the fan30 for purposes of appearance and noise abatement. A series of apertures33 in the fan housing 32 provide a sufiicient air supply to the fanintake.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that when the fan 30 is inoperation, air will be supplied under pressure to the plenum chamber 22and will flow from there through the ducts 17, into the channels 16 andout the air holes 14.

Referring to FIG. 4, a quarter-inch stainless steel bumper strip 10 ismounted flush with the playing surface 2, and extends verticallyupwardly therefrom to the height of approximately 5 1 inches. The steepbumper strip I0 may be epoxied or otherwise securely fixed to the woodside rail 41, or the rail and bumper strip may comprise an integralmetal component. but it is important that its inner face 42 be smoothand extend substantially perpendicular to the playing surface 2 in orderthat it not exert any vertical forces upon a striking puck which couldcause it to take off.

The side and end rails 41 of the table are anchored upon the air bed 11by a key 43, preferably of steel, which extends equally into the rail 41and the air bed 11. The wood rails 41 may then be securely fastened tothe air bed 11 by bolts 44 which threads into tee nuts 45 embedded inthe air bed 11, or alternately by the bolts 44 which may extend throughthe entire air bed structure. A skirt 46 extending from the outer edgeof the wood side and end rails 41 may be utilized as illustrated in FIG.1 to hide the sub-structure of the air bed and fan assembly.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the preferred embodiment of the bat of theinvention. The bat body 49 is a one inch thick disc of high-densitythermoplastic such as polyethylene, covered on the bottom 50 with a thinlayer of felt 51 to avoid scarring of the playing surface of the airbed. The top 52 of the bat 4 is recessed or depressioned as at 53primarily for two reasons. First, to lower the center of graivty of thebat by lowering the handle portion, and second. to provide protectionfor the fingers of the player. A spherical handle 54 such as a billiardball. is attached to the center of the bat 4 and at the bottom of therecess or depression 53 as by a screw 55 extending up through the bottomof the disc 49 forming the body of the bat 4. This configuration lowersthe center of gravity of the billiard ball handle 54 and the point ofapplication of any force which may be exerted by the contestants hand toa level closest to the level of the center of gravity of the puck tominimize the tuck effect. The thickness S6 of the but 4, or the height56 of its vertical side face 57, should be at least twice the thickness58 of the puck l and slightly greater than the height of the goalopening in order to avoid any possibility of the but 4 sliding under thepuck l. permitting it to strike the hand of the contestant. andpreventing the but from being caught in the goal. In the preferredembodiment of the invention, the heighth of the vertical side face ofthe bat 4 is l inch, and the thickness 58 of the puck l is approximatelyA inch.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the preferred embodiment of the puck, a flatcircular disc also made of high-density thermoplastic, e.g.polyethylene. With a diameter of 3 inches and a thickness of inch theweight of the puck will be supported by at least four air jets at alltimes.

It is important that the sides of the puck l, bat 4, and bumper strip beas nearly mutually vertical as feasible to avoid imparting to the puckan angle of attach which would cause it to leave the table. Further, inorder to provide the contestant with a feeling of solid contact whenhitting the puck, and to further avoid any tucking or other reactivemovement of the bat upon contact with the puck, it has been found mostadvantageous to use a bat to puck weight ratio of approximately lO-tol.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a promising alternate construction to supportthe perforated playing surface 2 of the air bed 1 1. In thisconstruction, the one-eighth inch Melamine playing surface 2 would bebacked by a supporting layer 60 of pressed wood or the like havingquarter-inch holes 64 therein each communicating with one of the smallerholes 14 in the playing surface 2. This supporting layer 60 would inturn rest upon an egg crate-like supporting assembly 61 such as thatillustrated in FIG. 9 where the crossing members are notched andinterfitted so that the lateral members 62 are elevated above thelongitudinal members 63. The supporting layer 60 rests upon the lateralmember 62 and the bottom panel 23 is attached to the longitudinal member63. Air from the plenum 22 is free to circulate over the longitudinalmember 63 and under the lateral elements 62 to reach all of the airholes 64-14 of the playing surface 2.

FIG. 11 illustrates one form of bat conceived and tested during thedevelopment of the invention and is included for purposes of comparison.The body 65 was made of a solid piece of steel. It is apparent that therectangular shape, additional weight and handle configuration of thisbat would result in a significant change in the character and mode ofplay of the game from that accompanying play with the circular hat 4 ofFIG. 5

One of the more difficult problems presented in the development of theinvention was the design of a suitable goal. As seen in FIGS. 1, I2 and13, the goal 70 basically comprises a horizontal slot 71 in the bumperstrip 10 and rail 41 of the table having an opening approximately 3%times the diameter of the bat 4 and a housing to retain the puck 1.Initially the puck slides through the slot 71 in the bumper strip 10,and through the end rail 41 of the table. Upon reaching the edge of theplaying surface 2, the puck is transitioned from the horizontal to thevertical plane by a curving nylon liner 73, and delivered into a slendervertical chamber 74. The side walls 75 of the vertical chamber 74 areconfigured to guide the puck as it continues downwardly into an exitchannel 76. As the puck passes through the exit channel 76 itmomentarily engages and displaces a trip element 77 extending from aspring biased switch 78 mounted adjacent the exit channel 76. Thetripping of the switch 78 actuates the scoring mechanism described belowto record the score.

During the course of the game when a goal is scored, the puck willcontinue through the exit channel 76 and into a retaining basket 79 fromwhich it can be re- 6 trieved by a player. At the end of game, asolenoid operated blocking pin 85, actuated by a coin operated timer andcontrol circuit explained below, extends into the exit channel 76 andretains the puck in an inaccessible position within the goal housing.

FIG. 14 illustrates one form of illuminated score presentation suitablefor use with the invention. A translucent housing 80 is mounted upon therail 41 along each side of the table. Within each housing 80 are aseries of compartments 7 separated by opaque baffles 84. The sidewindows 86 of each compartment have numbers 81 etched or otherwiseplaced thereupon such that they will be illuminated when a lamp 82 islighted by the scoring circuit. As each successive numbered chamber islighted, the preceding chambers remain illuminated. When all of thechambers on one side of the table are illuminated the game is over;however, the boxes 7 will remain illuminated for a short period of timeafter the game is over or unit] the coin mechanism is recycled.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuitry and relateddevices which control play and scoring on the table. A period of 15minutes is allowed for the game. The insertion of a specified amount ofcoin money into a coin operated mechanism starts 21 IS minute timer 91which controls a power supply 92 to the fan 30 and the remainder of thescoring mechanism.

Line power of I [0 volts AC is connected to the fan motor 93 through afan relay switch 94, and to a trans former 95 which supplies 24 VAC to arectifier 96. Actuation of the 15 minute timer 91 closes a first switch97 which will remain closed for the allotted period of IS minutes. Theswitch 97 is connected in series with the low side 98 of the transformer95 and the rectifier 96, so that its closing supplies power to therectifier for the l5 minute period. Closing of the switch 97 also causespower to flow through the fan relay switch 94, closing that switch andinitially connecting line power 92 to the fan motor 93.

As the scoring indicating panel 6 and related circuitry for each goal isidentical, only one need be described. Matching elements for the othergoal are iden tified by the prime symbol after their numerals.

Operation of the coin mechanism 90 also momentarily closes a secondswitch 99. Switch 99 is in series with a 24 VAC reset coil 100 connectedacross the low side 98 of the transformer 95. The momentary activationof the coil 100 resets a stepping switch 83 to the zero score position.

The stepping switch 83 functions to connect 24 VDC power sequentiallyand cumulatively to the lamps 82 in the score indicating boxes 7. Thestepping switch 83 is advanced each time a goal detecting switch 78positioned within the puck exit channel 26 is actuated by a puck passingthrough the goal. Goal detecting switch 78 is spring biased to the openposition and is momentarily closed by the displacement of its tripelement 77 by a puck 1 as it passes through the exit channel 76. Theswitch 78 is connected in series with a relay 101 incorporated withinthe stepping switch 83, and across the low side 98 of the transformer95. Each time the relay 101 is activated by the closing of the goaldetecting switch 78, the contact arm 102 of the stepping switch 83 isadvanced one position. At the first actuation of goal detecting switch78, after the commencing of a new game. the arm 102 is advanced to acontact 103 completing a 24 volt DC circuit 104 from the rectifier 96and through a lamp 105 which illuminates the No. l goal chamber of thescore indicating bank 6. Unidirectional diodes 107 are connected betweensuccessive lighting circuits, like circuit 104, so that as the steppingarm I02 advances, power will continue to be supplied to all previouslyilluminated score indicating lights keeping all lighted until the end ofthe game in the illustrated embodiment of the scoring circuit, provisionis made for an arbitrary number of seven goals. Upon the scoring of theseventh or last goal, the stepping arm I02 reaches a contact 108 whichin addition to illuminating the bulb [09 for the seventh goal, alsoconnects 24 VDC power to a final score relay "0. Final score relay 110controls a switch A which is in series with a puck gate solenoid 111connected across the low side of the transformer 98. Contact 110A isclosed when switch 97 is closed, supplying power to the puck gatesolenoid Ill and holding the spring loaded blocking pin 85 in thewithdrawn position. When the seventh goal is scored, the final scorerelay "0 disconnects power to the puck gate solenoids Ill permitting thespring loaded blocking pin 85 to extend across the exit channel 76 andtrap the game puck in an inaccessible position.

The advancing of the contact arm 102 to the last contact 108 alsoconnects 24 volt DC power to a second fan relay I12. Relay 112 controlsa switch 112A connected in series with the power supply 92 and the fan30. Activation of this relay "2 opens the switch 112A, which is biasedto the closed position, cutting off power to the fan 30.

While play is terminated and the fan turned off with the making of thelast goal by either party, the score indicating lights will remain onuntil the IS minute period allotted for the game is completed and theswitches 97 and 99 opened, or until the coin mechanism is again cycled,

While the principles of the invention have been described in connectionwith the above specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understood thatthis description is made only by way of example and not as a limitationto the scope of the invention.

We claim:

I. In combination, a bat and a puck for rapid play upon an air bed gametable playing surface,

the puck being made of high-density plastic and comprising a first lowprofile right circular cylinder having substantially horizontallyextending top and bottom surfaces and an area to weight ratio sufficientto permit the puck to float on an air bed; and

the but being made of high-density plastic and comprising;

a. a second low profile right circular cylinder having substantiallyhorizontal extending top and bottom surfaces, said bottom surface ofsaid second cylinder being adapted to slide upon the playing surface,the curved vertical surface of the second cylinder being adapted to hitthe curved vertical surface of said first cylinder of said puck;

b. said top surface having a depression therein, said depression beingsubstantially symmetrical about the vertical axis of said right circularcylinder; and

c. a handle attached to said second cylinder at the bottom center ofsaid depression, the handle extending vertically out of said depressionand being adapted to be held by a player for manipulation of said bat;

said depression being coaxial with said second cylinder and adapted toprotect a players fingers grasping the handle from contact with saidpuck or another player's bat and to lower said bats center of gravity;

said bat and puck having the following relations:

a. said bat is substantially heavier than said puck;

b. said second cylinder is at least twice the height of said firstcylinder;

c. the diameter of said second cylinder is larger than the diameter ofsaid first cylinder.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said bat is about 10 times heavierthan said puck.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the ratio of said secondcylinder's diameter to said first cylinders diameter is about 4:3.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said second cylinder is at least 4times the height of said first cylinder.

5. The combination of claim 2 wherein said second cylinder is at least 4times the height of said first cylinder.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein the ratio of said second cylindersdiameter to said first cylinders diameter is about 4:3.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein the second cylinder is at least 4times said height of said first cylinder.

8. The combination of claim 5 wherein the ratio of said second cylindersdiameter to said first cylinders diameter is about 4:3.

Patent No. 3,927,885

Inventor(s) Phillip E. Crossman,

It is certified that error appears and that said Letters Patent arehereby Dated December 23 1975 et al in the above-identified patentcorrected as shown below:

The term of this patent subsequent to June 3, 1992,

has been disclaimed.

[SEAL] A ttest:

RUTH C. MASON Arresting Officer Signed and Sealed this C. MARSHALL DANNCommissioner ujParenrs and Trademarks

1. In combination, a bat and a puck for rapid play upon an air bed gametable playing surface, the puck being made of high-density plastic andcomprising a first low profile right circular cylinder havingsubstantially horizontally extending top and bottom surfaces and an areato weight ratio sufficient to permit the puck to float on an air bed;and the bat being made of high-density plastic and comprising: a. asecond low profile right circular cylinder having substantiallyhorizontal extending top and bottom surfaces, said bottom surface ofsaid second cylinder being adapted to slide upon the playing surface,the curved vertical surface of the second cylinder being adapted to hitthe curved vertical surface of said first cylinder of said puck; b. saidtop surface having a depression therein, said depression beingsubstantially symmetrical about the vertical axis of said right circularcylinder; and c. a handle attached to said second cylinder at the bottomcenter of said depression, the handle extending vertically out of saiddepression and being adapted to be held by a player for manipulation ofsaid bat; said depression being coaxial with said second cylinder andadapted to protect a player''s fingers grasping the handle from contactwith said puck or another player''s bat and to lower said bat''s centerof gravity; said bat and puck having the following relations: a. saidbat is substantially heavier than said puck; b. said second cylinder isat least twice the height of said first cylinder; c. the diameter ofsaid second cylinder is larger than the diameter of said first cylinder.2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said bat is about 10 times heavierthan said puck.
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the ratio of saidsecond cylinder''s diameter to said first cylinder''s diameter is about4:
 3. 4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said second cylinder is atleast 4 times the height of said first cylinder.
 5. The combination ofclaim 2 wherein said second cylinder is at least 4 times the height ofsaid first cylinder.
 6. The combination of claim 1 wherein the ratio ofsaid second cylinder''s diameter to said first cylinder''s diameter isabout 4:
 3. 7. The combination of claim 1 wherein the second cylinder isat least 4 times said height of said first cylinder.
 8. The combinationof claim 5 wherein the ratio of said second cylinder''s diameter to saidfirst cylinder''s diameter is about 4: 3.